An Evaluative Directory to Producers and Distributors of Unabridged Books on Cassette Tape ' LIBRARY of THF

ILLINOL S UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN PRODUCTION NOTE University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Large-scale Digitization Project, 2007. University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science CA SI -NAhPAP'", ISSN 0276 1769 Number 184 November 1988 An Evaluative Directory to Producers and Distributors of Unabridged Books on Cassette Tape ' LIBRARY OF THF NOV 2 1 98 Preston Jones Hoffman h- -A An Evaluative Directory to Producers and Distributors of Unabridged Books on Cassette Tape by Preston Jones Hoffman © 1988 The Board of Trustees of The University of Illinois OCCASIONAL PAPERS deal with any aspect of librarianship and consist of papers which are too long or too detailed for publication in a library periodical or which are of specialized or temporary interest. Manuscripts for inclusion in this series are invited and should be sent to: OCCA- SIONAL PAPERS, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Publications Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 249 Armory Building, 505 E. Armory Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820. Papers in this series are issued irregularly, and no more often than monthly. Subscriptions for 1988 may be established for $13.00 per year. At least four papers will be issued annually, beginning with number 183 for 1988. Individual copies of current or back numbers may be ordered each for $5.00 plus $2 for the first copy and .50 per additional copy for postage and handling. All orders must be accompanied by payment. Send orders to: OCCASIONAL PAPERS, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Publications Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 249 Armory Building, 505 E. Armory Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820. Make checks payable to University of Illinois. Donald W. Krummel, Editor James S. Dowling, Managing Editor PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Leigh Estabrook, F. Wilfrid Lancaster, Selma K. Richardson Contents Abstract ................................... ...............* * * Background. .... ..................... ....... ......... ......... .. 3 Introduction .................................................. 5 A Review of the Literature ................................ ...... 7 Articles and Essays ............................... ........... 7 Publisher's W eekly ........................................ 7 Other Periodicals...... ............................ ......... 9 Reference Books................................. .. .. 11 Methodology and Results ....................................... 12 Methodology................................................. 12 Results .......................... .......................... 15 Discussion of the Findings ..................................... 18 An Introduction to the Directory............................... 22 Information from Producer/Distributor Questionnaire ............. 22 Responses by Audiovisual Librarians in Public Libraries ........... 28 Appendix A ................... ............................... 32 Appendix B ... .................... ............ .............. .. 33 Appendix C ............................................... 34 Acknowledgment ............................................ * . 35 References .......................... ......................... 35 Additional References.................................... ....... 36 Vita........................ ................................. 37 ABSTRACT This study provides information about producers and distributors of unabridged books on cassette tape for the use of librarians engaged in collection development. In response to a questionnaire, the producers and distributors provided addresses, formats, genres, discounts, and replace- ment, billing, and shipping policies. Twenty-five librarians evaluated the products and services of the producers and distributors they patronized. An introduction which covers the history of this medium and a rationale for collecting books on cassette in the public library are also included. BACKGROUND The unabridged book on cassette is a relatively new medium which is beginning to find a place in many public libraries. Still other libraries have resisted providing this service for reasons ranging from lack of space and low perceived demand to charges that the medium is inherently elite (Ballard 1986, p. 140). It may be useful to provide an outline of the reasons why the establishment and maintenance of such a collection could be a valuable asset to communities and libraries alike, with emphasis on the needs of the smaller public library. In its guidelines for small- and medium-sized public libraries, the Ameri- can Library Association (ALA) stated that: "Resources in any format, needed or requested by the library's public, should be considered for acquisition (American Library Association 1975, p. 15). This, like all ALA policies, is a recommendation only. However, it provides a clear frame- work for including the books on cassette medium. To "be considered for acquisition," a format must be either "requested" or "needed." Since no information is available concerning the requests of a given library's patrons, the statement of needs must take priority, though the popularity of this medium is also an issue. Books on cassette have become popular not only because many larger libraries have begun collections of books on cassette (66% of libraries surveyed by Library Journal [Burns 1985, p. 38]), but also because these collections are very well used. Observation of the Durham County Public Library indicated that from 75% to 90% of the collection of 85 books on cassette were in circulation at any given time. This includes about half a dozen tapes which almost never circulate, as well as a much larger number which recirculate within a few hours of reshelving. In weighing whether books on tape is a "needed" service, it may be worthwhile to consider that their use allows people with different learning styles to enjoy books that they might not otherwise experience. Some people prefer listening over reading. This is one of the great growth areas that could be important in drawing new patrons to the public library. At the present time, many persons who prefer the aural experience to the visual probably do not patronize public libraries, perhaps because they are not aware of the services that are available and if they were aware would overwhelm the resources of the libraries. Besides those individuals who merely prefer the sound experience, there are also people who suffer from a kind of cognitive dissonance in which their reading levels do not nearly match their intellectual levels. Included in this group would be those in reading classes for whom the book on cassette has proven to be a helpful tool at least in the school setting (Bliss 1979, pp. 79-82). Another group in this category is composed of recent immigrants who are learning or improving their English. Another group which needs better access to books on cassette is the visually impaired. There is statistical evidence that the U.S. Library of Congress' Talking Books Program does not reach all those who are eligible for it much less all those who might benefit. The U.S. census estimates that there are 8,081,000 persons suffering from visual impairments, but only 297,730 (less than 5% of the potential user group) are receiving Talking Books on cassette (U.S. Dept. of Commerce 1987, p. 104; Library of Congress 1987, p. 58). Perhaps they are not registered as visually impaired because they fear social and governmental discrimination, or perhaps they are unaware of the existence of the program. However, it is possible that a community- based books on tape program available to all in the public library would serve many of these individuals. Beyond these special cases are the mass of people who are capable of reading but who prefer to listen for a number of possible reasons including restrictive travel and home schedules. Time spent commuting, exercising, or caring for children is often available for listening to but not for reading books. Also, eye fatigue through the increased use of Video Display Termi- nals as well as the use of print is probably on the increase ("Use of VDT's Prove Hazardous" 1984, p. 21). Many of these persons who are unlikely to use print materials could make use of books on cassette. Besides these obvious benefits, there are others. It is conceivable that people who listen to a book on cassette by an author whom they might not otherwise read or concerning a subject they have slight interest in, may become interested in the author or subject and make use of print resources. People may be drawn into the library who might not otherwise be there at all and while there be inspired to make use of more traditional services. Books on cassette may be used at work. There is precedent for this in that, at one time, cigar makers in Tampa, Florida had books read to skilled laborers while they worked (Vila 1987). There have been some negative reactions to including this medium in public libraries, but the ubiquity of the cassette tape player in this country seems not to have been considered. In reality this is a plebeian medium which can bring intellectual pleasure to those previously satisfied with the lowest common denominator approach of most radio and television. It has also been claimed that the abridged format is more practical than the unabridged but without any evidence or even substantial reasons given (Greenhalgh 1986, p. 112). Some librarians in this study have claimed that abridged books on cassette are preferable to unabridged

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